Whitechapel - The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)2015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/
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The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322265#Comment_3222652012-01-23T06:32:55-06:002012-01-23T06:42:46-06:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
Here's the new story, written today, in response to a challenge by @mojokingbee.
Your challenge should you choose to accept it is to provide art: either a spot illustration or a two page ...
Your challengeshould you choose to accept it is to provide art: either a spot illustration or a two page adaptation. And again, this time around, I've written a story without dialogue.

The gun lay there on the ground, black and ugly, a nasty, horrible, necessary thing.

Next to it lay the remains of her companion, his head thankfully covered by a small towel, entirely disguising the damage the .38 bullet had done.

She’d waited until the small hours of the morning, when he’d been sleeping; despite everything, she hadn’t wanted him to suffer, not as she’d suffered over the years.

She was no longer sure when idea had turned to intent, and intent to plan. But when he had suggested the trip away, travelling over hill and dale, she had instantly agreed.

He’d only hit her once on the outgoing trip, but it had only increased her resolve that it would never, ever happen again.

And when the night was clear, the clouds were absent, and they were alone, she had killed him and cried afterwards, for while external bruises on her skin always faded, the scars inside never did.

Hours later, she watched the pot boil and had trouble deciding; he had been a vegetarian after all.

So now, as she smelled the meat marinate, she stared at the two bottles of wine and tried to decide: red or white.

(c) Lee Barnett, 2011

The Rules

You’ve got until evening on Saturday 4th February, say midnight British time, (4pm Pacific) to put up either a one panel spot illustration or a two page comic book depiction of the entire story. The art can be pencilled, inked, coloured, lettered... entirely up to you. But ART ONLY – no story ideas, or suggestions. This is an opportunity to showcase your art and storytelling abilities.

We’ll announce on Sunday 5th February the winner who then gets to pick a new four word title and word, and I’ll write a new story which will go up Monday 6th January... which will start the whole thing running again for the following two weeks.

...go!]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322300#Comment_3223002012-01-23T12:59:49-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00jurganhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7606
A song fits this one, Janie's got a gun by Aerosmith. Got my juices flowing, as it were.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322306#Comment_3223062012-01-23T13:56:24-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
A battered woman who strikes back at her abusive partner. I like it!
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322435#Comment_3224352012-01-24T18:13:45-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00ALEhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=6123
and then cooks and eats him, don't leave that out.
cooks and eats him, don't leave that out.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322444#Comment_3224442012-01-24T19:47:51-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
I prefer to leave it out in my entry. Besides, I can't be sure what meat is in that pot. Perhaps Budgie has left it deliberately ambiguous.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322611#Comment_3226112012-01-26T11:43:06-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
Ambiguous? Me? Nope - I know exactly what's in the pot. Up to the reader, however, to decide whether or not they agree with me...
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322634#Comment_3226342012-01-26T14:30:24-06:002012-01-26T16:42:46-06:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
@Budgie: Yes, that's pretty much what I thought. It's going to be interesting to see how readers' interpretations of what the meat is will affect their entries.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322677#Comment_3226772012-01-27T07:43:13-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00256http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4827
Uhhh, thought I posted this about an hour ago, but... If you see this in some other random thread, it's because I wasn't paying attention...
Spot:
I like to think these fiction pieces are ...
Spot:

I like to think these fiction pieces are being published in a really fucked up version of a Sunday colour supplement.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322685#Comment_3226852012-01-27T09:41:18-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Paul Sizerhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=44
Genius, 256.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322740#Comment_3227402012-01-27T19:22:06-06:002012-01-27T19:24:31-06:00NeilFordhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=8364]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322750#Comment_3227502012-01-27T22:28:57-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00RenThinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=155
Oooh.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322757#Comment_3227572012-01-28T01:06:44-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Raid71http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=8420
that's perfect
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322762#Comment_3227622012-01-28T04:00:13-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Horrible Warning Sihttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1223
Luvverly.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322776#Comment_3227762012-01-28T06:44:17-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Paul Sizerhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=44
Neil is a master.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322780#Comment_3227802012-01-28T07:09:55-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Raid71http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=8420
Sorry in advance

Sorry in advance]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322795#Comment_3227952012-01-28T12:15:45-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00snafuhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4347
What a great start to this challenge. @Raid71, freakin' brilliant. I could totally see this in a scene out of Strangehaven. Does anyone else remember Strangehaven?
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322849#Comment_3228492012-01-29T15:10:48-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
@Raid71: I love the flowers, the detail is amazing!
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322913#Comment_3229132012-01-30T12:04:14-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
Fantastic art, folks - disturbing and wonderful.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322922#Comment_3229222012-01-30T13:04:44-06:002012-01-30T13:24:18-06:00fleckyhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=8949
@budgie:That's a great piece of hard-boiled writing.And with the art on here:dark and deadly vengeance served with a sauce of coward's blood...
I want to know more about this killer.She's great.
I want to know more about this killer.She's great.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=322951#Comment_3229512012-01-30T17:03:29-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
@flecky - Thank you! Glad the story worked for you...
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323013#Comment_3230132012-01-31T10:03:38-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00plusfoursmaxhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10712
Loved the story, tried to create an image that would suit; glad I didn't look at the other entries beforehand. ...
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323017#Comment_3230172012-01-31T10:43:33-06:002012-01-31T10:46:07-06:00Littlepurplegothhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10699
Oooo very filmatic I think red wine though. Having found This
filmatic I think red wine though. Having found This]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323018#Comment_3230182012-01-31T10:45:59-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00plusfoursmaxhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10712
Trying again with a flickr account:
???
???]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323039#Comment_3230392012-01-31T12:51:15-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
@plusfoursmax - wow. Just... wow.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323156#Comment_3231562012-02-01T22:08:33-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00imaginarypeoplehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7661
had this song in my head as i was drawing this
oh yeah and red wine would be the choice for her meal
had this song in my head as i was drawing thisoh yeah and red wine would be the choice for her meal]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323160#Comment_3231602012-02-02T01:10:56-06:002012-02-03T21:49:23-06:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
Here is my entry. I went for spotlighting what the backpacker was so indecisive about so it would link back to the title.
@Imaginarypeople: I like your entry.

@Imaginarypeople: I like your entry.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323300#Comment_3233002012-02-03T17:48:56-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Jason A. Questhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5192
]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323301#Comment_3233012012-02-03T17:54:36-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00imaginarypeoplehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7661
thanks dnewling
i like the detail you put in yours. what did you use to draw it?
i like the detail you put in yours. what did you use to draw it?]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323302#Comment_3233022012-02-03T18:06:00-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
@Imaginarypeople: Thanks for the compliment. I used drawing inks, dip pens, technical pens and a bit of felt tip.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323368#Comment_3233682012-02-04T15:37:58-06:002012-02-04T15:39:05-06:00256http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4827
Cheers for the kind words upthread. Truly amazing work from everyone this week.
This is a really interesting type of challenge, quite different to the R/Rs. Looking forward to next week's...
amazing work from everyone this week.

This is a really interesting type of challenge, quite different to the R/Rs. Looking forward to next week's...]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323371#Comment_3233712012-02-04T15:53:07-06:002012-02-04T15:56:11-06:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
@256 Yes, I like this new challenge too. I have fancied trying my hand at spot illustrations and now I have the chance! The challenge also draws on my own skills as a writer because it has me ...
I wonder what last-minute entries will arrive before judging time? Judging time must be getting pretty close now.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323373#Comment_3233732012-02-04T16:44:30-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00imaginarypeoplehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7661
i agree with you dnewling. i too look forward to strengthening my storytelling skills with these challenges
also hoping to see a few more before the challenge ends
also hoping to see a few more before the challenge ends]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323375#Comment_3233752012-02-04T17:06:47-06:002012-02-04T17:15:08-06:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
First off, complete agreement - stunning art this week.
And thank you everyone for the kind words about the story.
I know I said the thread closes on 4th Feb, but it's 1 in the morning, I'm ...
And thank you everyone for the kind words about the story.

I know I said the thread closes on 4th Feb, but it's 1 in the morning, I'm tired... so I'll let it run through till noon tomorrow UK time and close it then... so you've go about another eleven hours.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323378#Comment_3233782012-02-04T17:48:41-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
@Imaginarypeople: Ah, so you write as well?
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323380#Comment_3233802012-02-04T18:06:29-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00imaginarypeoplehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7661
@dnewling- i am good with pictures but not so much with words
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323382#Comment_3233822012-02-04T18:32:22-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Jason A. Questhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=5192
@dnewling: "Storytelling" is a skill in the artist's toolkit: translating a writer's story into pictures.
artist's toolkit: translating a writer's story into pictures.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323398#Comment_3233982012-02-05T04:33:39-06:002012-02-05T04:38:23-06:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
Once again, as with the last round, huge and genuine thanks from me and Si to everyone who read, spread the word and took part in this challenge.
And again, while I expected some great art, the ...
And again, while I expected some great art, the submissions were incredible and each of them impressed the hell out of me.

Have to give an honourable mention to Raid71's piece - the Siri/iPhone illustration - which was both incredibly detailed and gave me, and I'm sure many others, a huge laugh, something relatively unexpected given the story.

But the final choice was this piece by 256, which was a perfect spot illustration for the story in my view, setting the stage without wholly revealing the twist, as you'd do with a "two page story" version.

Every one of the art pieces showed how hard the artists worked on them, folks, and deserve our thanks and applause. Thanks so much to those who took part.

So, @256 - congrats and thank you; now I need a writing challenge from you for the next art challenge.

A title (up to four words) and a word to use in the story itself. Get yer own back and challenge me...]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323400#Comment_3234002012-02-05T06:12:26-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Paul Sizerhttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=44
Nice work to all! Had to decide between this and the REMAKE challenge, but hopefully I can participate in coming weeks. Great short story, Budgie, thanks for the work!
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323430#Comment_3234302012-02-05T15:45:13-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00Sobreirohttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=3279
Nice thread!
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323432#Comment_3234322012-02-05T16:11:27-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00256http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=4827
Well, gosh. Thanks Mr. B.
Going with the first thing that came into my head for a title: Our Lady of Artillery. And since I just got back from one, the featured word is: ...
Going with the first thing that came into my head for a title: Our Lady of Artillery. And since I just got back from one, the featured word is: "pub".

Rgrds,256.]]>
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323451#Comment_3234512012-02-05T21:12:27-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00dnewlinghttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=10558
Our Lady of Artillery and the word to use is pub...my head is buzzing with all sorts of fun ideas from that. But no suggestions of course.
The Art of Fast Fiction: THE INDECISIVE BACKPACKER (CLOSING DATE: 4th Feb)http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10460&Focus=323465#Comment_3234652012-02-06T05:17:56-06:002015-08-02T15:37:31-05:00budgiehttp://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141
Thanks again for all taking part - closing this thread as the new one is going up live in a few minutes...